Meet our Executive Team

Our Executive Team leads BPA’s day-to-day operations, supporting educators, families, and communities to deliver safe, high-quality early learning.

When children feel safe, supported and truly seen, they flourish. That is the purpose that guides our work every day at BPA.

Tim Watts, CEO of BPA Children’s Services, standing in a modern early learning centre environment, smiling, with a professional and approachable presence.

When children feel safe, supported and truly seen, they flourish. That is the purpose that guides our work every day at BPA.

Our Executive Team leads BPA’s day-to-day operations and turns strategy into action across our centres and services. They are responsible for delivering high-quality, safe, and inclusive early learning, supporting educators and centre teams, and ensuring families have positive, consistent experiences at every stage of their journey. Working closely with the Board, the Executive Team drives organisational performance, quality, and sustainability, while staying focused on what matters most — children’s learning, wellbeing, and development. Through strong leadership, collaboration, and accountability, they help ensure BPA continues to grow with Melbourne’s west and meet the evolving needs of the communities we serve.

Tim Watts

Chief Executive Officer

Our CEO is committed to strengthening high-quality, not-for-profit early learning so every child has the best possible start in life.

Tim joined BPA in 2025 and brings extensive senior leadership experience across purpose-driven organisations in education, health and community services. He has held executive roles with organisations including Compass Education, Calvary Health Care and Flexicar, leading strategy development, organisational growth and high-performing teams.

Before joining BPA, Tim was Interim CEO of Early Learning Association Australia (ELAA), the national peak body championing excellence in early learning and supporting parents and providers across Australia. Through this work, he developed a deep understanding of the critical role not-for-profit kindergarten and childcare play in setting children up for success at school and in life.

With a leadership style grounded in trust, accountability and collaboration, Tim empowers his teams to lead with confidence while remaining closely engaged when support is needed. As a parent of two children who attended a not-for-profit early learning service, he brings both professional and personal insight to his role. Tim works closely with BPA’s Board and Executive team to ensure the organisation remains child-safe, financially sustainable and focused on delivering high-quality, inclusive early learning for children and families across Melbourne’s west.

Esther Ho

Chief Financial Officer

Esther oversees BPA’s financial sustainability and stewardship that supports safe, high-quality early learning for every child.

Esther joined BPA Children’s Services as Chief Financial Officer in 2023 and brings more than 15 years’ experience managing finance and operations across purpose-driven organisations. Her career spans education, home care, aged care and disability services, giving her a deep understanding of complex service environments and the importance of sustainable, people-focused financial management.

As CFO, Esther is responsible for BPA’s financial health, governance and systems, ensuring resources are used wisely to support child safety, service quality and long-term organisational stability. Known for her analytical mindset and problem-solving approach, she is passionate about strengthening systems, improving processes and supporting organisational growth in ways that directly benefit children, families and educators.

Esther holds a degree in Social Science, a Master’s degree in Commerce, and is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). She has also completed executive education at Harvard University focused on the management of not-for-profit organisations. Guided by a strong commitment to equity, child wellbeing and early education, Esther plays a key role in ensuring BPA remains financially responsible, resilient and able to serve its communities well into the future.

Yolanda Sutherland

General Manager, Early Years

Our General Manager, Early Years leads a workplace where children, families and educators feel supported, valued and able to thrive.

Yolanda joined BPA in 2024 and brings deep experience across education, community services and health organisations. She also holds a Nursing qualification, bringing valuable clinical insight and a strong understanding of health and safety into her leadership approach.

Yolanda leads BPA’s Early Years operations, with a clear focus on delivering high-quality programs and strong outcomes for children and families. She works closely with service leaders and educators to build capable teams, strengthen practice and ensure each service is supported to meet community needs.

Her approach balances strong systems and clear expectations with genuine care for people, creating environments where educators feel supported, heard and empowered to grow.

She holds two tertiary qualifications, including a Master of Business Administration (MBA), and is a Certified HR Practitioner with the Australian Human Resources Institute (AHRI). Yolanda’s leadership has been recognised with a Victorian State Award for her contributions to people, health and safety. Through her work, she plays a critical role in strengthening BPA’s services and supporting high-quality, child-safe early learning across Melbourne’s west.

Jess Mison-Smith

Transformation Lead

Jess leads early learning practice, quality and continuous improvement across BPA’s centres.

Jess joined BPA Early Learning in late 2025, spending her first months as General Manager, Early Years before transitioning into a strategic role as BPA’s Transformation Lead. She works with the executive leadership team and our kindergarten and centre leaders to strengthen and scale what BPA does well — building the systems, structures, and capability that will carry an organisation with a proud history in providing high quality education and care confidently into its next chapter.
 
Jess brings deep experience leading large, complex organisations through change. Before joining BPA, she held senior leadership roles overseeing customer-focused operations serving millions of people across multiple services, guiding teams through periods of growth, system change, and improvement while maintaining high standards.
 
Jess is known for her calm, hands-on leadership style and her ability to manage complex priorities while keeping people at the centre of decision-making.
Jess holds a Bachelor of Early Childhood Education (Honours) from Monash University. Her background in early childhood education, combined with her experience leading large service systems, supports BPA’s commitment to strong pedagogy, clear communication, and continuous improvement across all centres.

Candy Caballero

General Manager, Legal, Risk and Compliance

Candy leads BPA’s legal, risk and compliance functions, ensuring strong governance, child safety, and regulatory integrity across the organisation.

Candy joined BPA Children’s Services in 2025 and brings over 20 years’ experience across the public, private, and community sectors.

Her expertise spans legal compliance, child safety, security, regulatory frameworks, and operational risk, supporting organisations to operate ethically, safely, and with strong governance. Candy is admitted to practice law in both California and Victoria and is a Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts (History) from the University of California, Los Angeles, a Juris Doctor from The George Washington University, and is currently completing an MBA at Monash University.

Daniel Olive

Communications and Marketing Manager

Daniel helps families understand their early learning options by making BPA’s communication simple, clear, and easy to navigate.

Daniel joined BPA Children’s Services in 2024 and leads the organisation’s communications and marketing, focusing on clear, accessible messaging that helps families understand their options and feel supported when choosing early learning. He works closely with BPA’s enrolments team to help make the journey from first enquiry to enrolment clear and stress-free.

With experience across hospitality and education, Daniel brings a strong focus on community connection and practical communication. He works alongside centre teams and leadership to ensure BPA’s story reflects the real experiences of families and educators.

As a parent, Daniel has a personal connection to BPA, having had two children attend a BPA service. This experience shapes his belief that high-quality, not-for-profit early learning plays a vital role in helping children build confidence, belonging, and essential life skills.

The Executive team works closely with BPA’s Board to translate strategy into action, ensuring strong governance, safe operations, and high-quality early learning across all services. Together, they support educators, centres, and families to deliver positive outcomes for children across Melbourne’s west.

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